Montréal sets the standard for sustainability in tourism

Montréal is North America’s most popular destination for international association meetings — and with that popularity comes certain implications. To address the environmental, social, and economic impact, Tourisme Montréal has worked diligently to rank No. 1 worldwide in destination management in the 2026 Global Destination Sustainability Index, an international reference in sustainable tourism. 

This confirms the city’s position as a sustainable tourism destination. 

What is the Global Destination Sustainability Index?

The GDS-Index is the world's leading sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement program for destinations. For the first time, Montréal has broken into the GDS-Index global Top 10, ranking ninth among 81 participating destinations in 2026 with an overall score of 86.59%. The result marks an impressive 11-place jump in just one year.

Even more notably, Tourisme Montréal ranked first in the world for destination management, earning a score of 98%, the highest ever recorded in this category. It is also the first time a destination management organization outside Europe has reached the top of the ranking in a category.

This exceptional recognition reflects Tourisme Montréal’s collective vision for a harmonious destination, the dedication of our teams and the strong commitment of our partners. It also confirms the leadership of Montréal and Tourisme Montréal among destinations helping to shape a more sustainable and responsible future for tourism worldwide.

The city was judged on nearly 70 criteria inspired by the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, classified into four main categories: 

• Environmental
• Social
• Supplier engagement 
• Destination management

What gives Montréal its edge? Largely Tourisme Montréal’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy, which outlines tangible ways to have a positive impact at destination, socially, economically and environmentally.

What is GreenStep?

GreenStep is a social enterprise that helps businesses and organizations measure, report on, and improve their sustainability performance and take climate action. 

Tourisme Montréal has achieved Platinum certification for its sustainability efforts as an organization, while Montréal as a destination achieved Silver certification with a score of 74%.

What are some measures Tourisme Montréal is activating to become more sustainable?

Tourisme Montréal’s sustainable development actions are plentiful:

• Implementing a multi-year Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
• Assessing the social impact of business events strategies;
• Training employees and members of Tourisme Montréal on sustainable tourism;
• Implementing a responsible purchasing policy to prioritize the purchase of local products;
• Offsetting carbon for all employee business trips;
• Publishing information to educate visitors and encourage them to adopt more responsible practices;
• Creating active collaborations with local partners, Tourisme Autochtone Québec and Kéroul, to give prominence to Indigenous tourism initiatives and to universal accessibility to people with limited mobility;
• Collaborating with more than 400 tourism stakeholders over the past four years in awareness-raising and training initiatives offered by Tourisme Montréal aimed at promoting more sustainable tourism;
• Helping 17 Montréal tourism organizations earn the GreenStep label, recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), thanks to support programs;
• Partnering with La Tablée des chefs to reduce food waste in the region.

The rankings mentioned above are undeniable pledges of Tourisme Montréal’s commitment to more responsible, regenerative and sustainable tourism.

To find out even more about our objectives in terms of sustainable tourism, consult our Strategy towards a more sustainable tourism.